Buried Bay beach particles to be dug up
Matt Meade • Published 15 Sep 2012 09:00
3 Comments
DIGGERS will descend on Dalgety Bay to scour the shoreline for radioactive particles.
It's the latest move to investigate and rid the area of the contamination that has blighted the beach and turned it into a no-go zone.
The plans were revealed at the latest meeting of the Dalgety Bay Forum on Monday.
Inverkeithing and Dalgety Bay councillor Gavin Yates, who attended the meeting, said, "Pits are to be dug to find buried radiation sources.
"That work is going ahead on schedule and the diggers should come in over the next few weeks.
"What is vital is that we make sure all the investigations are done so we understand the risk to the public."
Mr Yates, himself a resident of Dalgety Bay, was "encouraged" by the by the latest forum event.
He continued, "What we heard was positive. Every work stream is proceeding as we expect and we hear nothing to suggest that there will be any delays in getting to where we need to be next year, which is the final report.
"I hope that will make absolutely clear that the Ministry of Defence has a responsibility to clean up after themselves and that we can have a beach we can all be proud of."
Radiation at the site is believed to be from radium paint used on aircraft instruments dumped in the Forth after the war.
The radiation was discovered at the beach in 1990. Today, part of the shore is cordoned off to the public.
Last month, the Press reported that the contamination controversy forced the local sailing club to cancel its annual regatta.
Members were concerned about potential liability for claims over exposure to radioactive particles.
Also last month, the mum of a 27-year-old who died from cancer approached the Press to voice her fears that radiation from the beach could have contributed to her son's death.
The Dalgety Bay Forum was set up in 2005 to address the radioactive contamination.
Members include the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), the MoD, Fife Council, Dalgety Bay Sailing Club and Dalgety Bay and Hillend Community Council.
Stephen Chorley represented the community council at the meeting, held at Inverkeithing Civic Centre.
He said, "The proposed survey that is to be carried out over the next few weeks is certainly the most thorough and well-constructed we've had.
"It will involve digging pit and bore holes in various places to find out the exact nature and extent of it."
He added, "There's a real sense of purpose and collaboration from all the agencies represented on the forum to find a solution and work towards remediation.
"SEPA are doing all the footwork while Colin McPhail, chair of the community council, has kept the issue alive."
A spokesperson for SEPA said, "Monday's meeting was the latest in a series of meetings set up to provide regular updates to the Dalgety Bay Forum.
"At the meeting, members were informed that an intrusive investigation of the affected area is likely to start this autumn."
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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DrewCarnegie
65 posts
Sep 15, 17:38
Report commentCheap house available in Spaghetti Bay
Recommend?
Yes 7
No 5
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maclam
303 posts
Sep 16, 16:14
Report commentyes! yes! , lets disturb whatever is there then shout clear the area.
Recommend? Yes 3
No 1
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******
Sep 17, 10:11
Report commentThis comment has been removed by a moderator
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Tradesman
93 posts
Sep 17, 14:12
Report commentIf this was Clacton on Sea I’m sure the diggers would have finished their work years ago!
Recommend? Yes 7
No 2
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